Another Year Of Cradle Con

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

You could feel the excitement outside the Cradle of Aviation, Long Island’s Air and Space Museum, on May 20 and 21.

Groups of families and friends, dressed in Star Wars and other pop culture icon costumes, were approaching the Cradle, ready for a full day of geeking out. And geeking out is certainly encouraged.

Inside the Cradle, amid a display of airplanes and other aviation memorabilia, complete strangers took pictures with one another over shared interests made clear with cosplay; artists sold their themed drawings, paintings, clothing and other mixed media art; panels from innovative comic book artists Russ Braun, James O’Barr, and Larry Hama informed fans; events like “Jedi Training” were held and attendees could even play a retro games from the group, Long Island Retro Gaming.

There’s so much to do at Cradle Con that it could be a little overwhelming. But the good thing about an array of activities and vendors is that there’s something for everybody.

I went to Cradle Con on May 21 with a group of pop culture fans. I’m a little more interested in things like reality shows and music, so I was nervous that I’d be left out of the conversation. I was proven wrong.

My favorite part of Cradle Con was certainly the “Cradle-Con Arcade Age Exhibit and Gaming Area” from Long Island Retro Gaming. I think everybody, video game fan or not, enjoys playing classic arcade games. And I found out I wasn’t half bad at them.

Part of what makes the Cradle of Aviation a great spot to host expos and conventions is the people who work at the museum, Joel Albino of the Long Island Retro Gaming told the Nassau Illustrated News last spring. The backdrop of aviation and space exhibits is certainly a plus.

“I love running shows there,” Albino said. “I love telling people about it and they show up and say ‘holy moley, this is something else.’ You go to a lot of shows and there are conventions halls and convention centers and they are great for what they are, but they are just a big box… While the Cradle makes it a little more challenging of where to place things, because there’s a lot of twists and turns, you can’t beat the decor and the aesthetic and the backdrop.”

I also enjoyed speaking with the artists. Javon O. Stokes, an author of comic books, shared with me the plot of his two series Heat and Strong

“HEAT has found a calling in making sure everyone who wants to can protest peacefully and freely,” the synopsis of the comic book Heat read. “Unfortunately, there are many powerful forces conspiring to make sure the vigilante doesn’t succeed in his mission. The government has commissioned their blackops metahuman team, Defense: Omega to restore order and rein in the Lightbearer. Cameron Clarke, aka HEAT, must now decide if he has the courage of his convictions or is he just “playing hero” like everyone believes.”

My boyfriend AJ and I watched demonstrations from Riddle of Steel, who makes custom edged weapons. I bought a drawing of a fairy from Kymberli Janine. I’d describe her art as dreamy and mystical. I also bought a drawing of Spiderman on his web, with a backdrop of colorful clouds from Miya Crummell. She specializes in comic book drawings and even has her own WebToon (a digital comic.)

Overall I left very happy. I learned a lot, had some cool conversations and even beat my boyfriend at a few games, something I’ll certainly hold over his head until we have a rematch at next year’s Cradle Con.

To learn more about the Cradle of Aviation and Cradle Con, visit www.cradleofaviation.org.